Climate Change

Butterflies and Bees in the Indian Himalayas

Dr. Dhyani studies the relationship between plants and their environment, and his work has helped develop practices for restoring and conserving natural landscapes. He has three decades of experience researching plants in the Himalayas.

Why do you study agriculture in the Himalayas?

The introduction of fruit and spice crops has boosted economic growth in several pockets of the Himalayas. The surrounding natural systems [i.e., uncultivated land] provide a variety of ecosystem services to these man-managed ecosystems that keep crop production stable and sustainable; one of them is pollination. But ensuring that pollinators like butterflies and bees visit flowers regularly has emerged as a major concern for certain crops. Researchers have found that crops grown near natural systems have more abundant pollinators. This calls for urgent policy advocacy; natural areas adjacent to agricultural landscapes must be protected to maintain pollinator communities and provide regular pollination services for the sustainability of Himalayan agriculture.

A great moment in the field:

I am especially proud of my work on the revival of Badrivan [an ancient forest sacred to Hindus around the village of Badrinath] and the establishment of Kalikavan [a sacred, community-managed forest] at Koli Dhek. This work showed that science and religion can work together for the benefit of the environment and the preservation of cultural and spiritual values.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in botany, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (India)

M.Sc. in botany, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (India)

PAST FIELDWORK
LOCATIONS

Central Himalayas, India

Dr. P.P. Dhyani, the G.B. Pant Institute scientist in charge of the Badrinath Program, at the Hanumanchatti Tree Nursery.